6 Ways To Give Back During The Holidays

For many, the holidays bring a sense of togetherness with family, home-cooked food, and presents under the tree.  But for others without family, this time of year is lonely.  Make this Christmas a special one for people in need with charitable donations given using free shipping discounts!

But where do we begin to look for ways to give?  Many online merchants offer a number of ways to donate this season:

• When ordering from an online retailer that requires a minimum purchase to qualify for free shipping, buy a toy or gift for someone in need with the extra money needed to get the discounted delivery. BigBrothersBigSisters.org/kids and Angel Tree offer ideas for how to make this Christmas a special one for lonely kids.
• Get free shipping materials from the U.S. Postal Office to send gifts to the Iraqi people.  Great gifts include mechanical pencils, items with American symbols, t-shirts, backpacks, and soccer balls.
• When you purchase a gourmet coffee basket from Mission Grounds, you'll receive free delivery; 100% of all proceeds are given to homeless children.
• Cleaning out your closet or spare room?  Post those items on eBay using Mission Fish and eBay Giving Works to donate from 10-100% of your proceeds to A Child's Embrace.
• Donate your old laptop or desktop computer for reuse to the Computer Recycling Center and get free shipping to send it in!  The CRC donates many computers to schools and nursing homes.
• Piperlime, in partnership with SolesForSouls is collecting 5,000 shoes in the month of December to donate to those in need. They'll give you $15 off your next shoe purchase for sending a pair of shoes in.

While shopping online for your own Christmas parcels, consider giving to families in need.  Involve your children in selecting gifts, reminding them the reason for the season.  With free shipping from many merchants, it's easy to give back and know that every dollar will be used wisely.

"For somehow, not only at Christmas, but the long year through, the joy that you give others is the joy that comes back to you."  -John Greenleaf Whittier